LEAD is a prominent member of the Lake County Opioid Initiative and has been involved in the development and creation of many of its forward-thinking models – namely Text-A-Tip and the A Way Out Program. Learn more.

A Way Out is a Lake County, Illinois Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion pilot program, designed to fast-track users to substance abuse programs and services. This program is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at participating police departments across Lake County and ensures no criminal charges will be sought for those that may be in possession of narcotics or paraphernalia, as long as assistance is sought out by the prospective program participant.

Text-A-Tip is an innovative, 24/7 mental health text help line now operational to more than 5 million people across the United States. Click here to learn more.

SMART Recovery is a self-help program with tools to help you change unhealthy habits such as drinking, drug use, or help with other stuff that’s holding yo back. This safe, non-judgmental zone emphasizes personal choice with the goal to move on with your life after overcoming the challenges you now face. This will be the first SMART Recovery group for teens in Illinois. Click here to learn more.

The Lake County Help mobile app was developed by LEAD and is intended for residents of Lake County, IL and surrounding communities. Included in this app is access to a 24/7 anonymous text crisis line (Text-A-Tip), access to the law enforcement assisted diversion drug treatment program (A Way Out), signs and symptoms of an overdose, and information about Naloxone (Narcan) and the Illinois Good Samaritan law. Click here below to download the app via iTunes or Google Play

Hello! I hope this finds you doing well as the school year winds down to a close. This has been an incredibly busy year for us, as we have been in more than 100 schools and have had more than 10,000...

Check out some of the latest media coverage we have received, including print, digital and television. Click on each icon to see a collection of samples from each outlet.

Total App Downloads

Population Served by Text-A-Tip

States that Have Hosted LEAD Programs

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Our Concept

Our basic concept is that we know that most young people are capable of making good decisions and that youth substance use is preventable in communities! We use an evidence-based, environmental approach to substance abuse prevention where we work with all community sectors to ensure that we are creating the safest community possible for our young people. When we use a multi-sector approach, allow data to drive our actions, build up positive assets and allow young people to have a voice, then we know we are on the right track.

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Our Method

LEAD has developed several methods that enable us to have a significant impact on the communities we serve. We are one of the few organizations who can provide quality and impactful programming for both youth and adults. Our methods include large and small group presentations, hands-on exhibits, relationship-building (we want to know you so that we can help you), and innovative technologies to get people the help they need at the exact moment they need it. We believe that proper communication, effective listening and positive adult-teen relationships should be at the forefront of everything we do.

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Our Approach

Prevention is more than simply educating people on the harms of drug use. While education tries to change what people know, prevention works to change what people do. We take a very positive approach to drug prevention, and we believe that the upside of making a positive choice outweighs the downside of making a negative choice. Our programs and events represent an ongoing process of positive engagement that we hope will continually keep our community (and your community) aware of the current drug, alcohol and social trends that are affecting our youth.